Friday, 12 April 2013

Bargain Hunting #5

Just a short post this week however some useful information that may help my readers.

The Royal Mail have now decided to introduce a new system where parcels are now priced on both size and weight – making them more expensive to post.

Parcels are now priced on both size and weight, and unless a parcel is smaller than:
Length 45cm Width 35cm Depth 8cm OR Length: 16cm and Width: 16cm and Depth: 16cm with max weight of 2KG ,it will count as a medium or large parcel.

The parcel you posted 2 weeks ago second class which cost £2.20 may cost you £5.20 now as that is the cheapest price for a medium parcel. In my eyes that is daylight robbery and I am here to help you cut these costs.

Get a template free of the Royal Mail Website - Royal Mail allows you to order a free cardboard template so you can check whether your items will fit into the small-parcel category.

Minimise Packaging - I used to send a lot of my parcels/post in jiffy bags or boxes however I recently brought plastic bags on eBay. They are extremely cheap and very handy to have. They also minimise packaging which could make a difference in weather your parcel is classed small,medium or large.

Use couriers - Couriers beat these crazy prices that Royal Mail have put in place and sometimes using a courier can be more convenient that going to the post office. Some couriers will charge £3.99 for a parcel that is 2kg and £4.99 for a parcel that is 10kg. The most competitive couriers I have found are myHermes or Collect+ but please shop about before you choose which courier to use. Always look at what insurance they offer as well.

You are able to purchase boxes which are the size that Royal Mail wish there "smaller parcels" to be. You can buy them from Royal Mail directly at £11.48 for 10 boxes however you can search the net and pick up a bargain like these boxes for just £15.05 for 100!

They're nice and they got the job done, the two days I used them to carry things, they delivered as promised. I also couldn't get to my phone in time and the man waited outside until I had my packages delivered.